κενῶς
kenōs
G2761 adverb
SILEX Entry
Definition
In an empty, fruitless, or ineffective manner; that is, to no purpose, yielding no result, or without meaningful effect. The adverb modifies actions, indicating they are performed without achieving the intended outcome or result. The term may also connote futility or a lack of substance in what is attempted or asserted.
Semantic Range
in vain, to no purpose, ineffectively, fruitlessly, without result, groundlessly, without meaningful effect
Root / Etymology
Derived from the adjective κενός (kenos), meaning 'empty' or 'void,' with the adverbial ending -ως (-ōs) added to form an adverbial expression of manner. Thus, κενῶς literally means 'in an empty way.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, κενῶς appears as early as Herodotus and Plato, generally describing actions, hopes, or words as ineffective, baseless, or futile. In the Hellenistic period and the Koine of the New Testament, it continues to describe actions undertaken without effect or purpose (e.g., Galatians 2:2; 1 Thessalonians 3:5), often with the broader sense of 'to no avail, in vain.' The word typically indicates the failure of a plan, work, or endeavor to produce the desired result. English translations frequently render it as 'in vain,' but this can obscure the range of meanings from 'futile' to 'groundless.' In the Septuagint and Greek literature, it is sometimes used of empty threats or claims—situations where a statement is 'without substance'—and can be synonymous with ματαίως (foolishly, vainly) in some contexts, though κενῶς more specifically emphasizes emptiness or lack of result rather than folly per se.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
adverb from κενός; vainly, i.e. to no purpose:--in vain.
Root Family
κεν- (kenós) — to be empty, to lack content
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2761-01 |
κενῶς | kenos | ADV |
in vain | to no purpose | to no purpose | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2761-01 |
James 4:5 | κενῶς | kenos | ADV |
in vain | to no purpose | to no purpose |